5 Store Credit Cards That Are Worth It

The last time you shopped at a department store, someone probably asked you to apply for a store credit card. For some, it would be easy to say no, but maybe you were tempted to apply for a store card and asked yourself if it’s worth it.

You should make any credit decision carefully, including opening a new credit card. In some cases, department store credit cards are not a good deal. You might get a small discount off your first post-approval purchase, but you could end up with a card that has few rewards and a higher interest rate compared to conventional credit cards.

Still, store cards are some of the easiest credit cards to get, making them attractive if you’re trying to build or rebuild credit. Plus, many of these cards offer impressive discounts, low or no extra fees, enticing rewards, or all three.

One more tip: Choose a store card that gives you perks where you spend a lot of money. If you’re already a frequent shopper at a store—and you can pay off your balance each month to avoid paying interest—one of these cards may be a great deal.

For Discount Shopping: Kohl’s Charge Card

Kohl’s credit card, called Kohl’s Charge, offers the biggest purchase discounts on this list. Once you’re approved, you’ll get a whopping 25% off your first purchase made with the card. You’ll get another 15% discount when you receive your card, and you can combine certain discounts with other programs like Kohl’s Cash and Yes2You rewards. What’s more, you’ll get 12 more discounts of 30%, 20%, or 15% throughout the year.

There is no annual fee for the Kohl’s Charge card, but it does have a 24.99% APR, so be careful about carrying a balance each month. Paying in full or keeping the balance to 10% or less of your credit limit also helps your credit score.

Walmart cards come in two types. The Walmart Credit Card is easier to be approved for, but you can use it only at Walmart. It’s harder to get approved for the Walmart Mastercard, but you can use it anywhere that accepts Mastercard.

You don’t pay an annual fee for either Walmart card, and both include the “3-2-1 Save” rewards program. This program gives you 3% cash back on Walmart.com online purchases, 2% cash back on Murphy USA and Walmart gas, and 1% cash back on in-store purchases or any accepted purchases with the Walmart Mastercard.

Your introductory APR for the Walmart Mastercard is 17.90%, 20.90%, or 23.90%, depending on your “account type,” which reflects your credit score. The Walmart MoneyCard Visa has a 23.90% APR, so it’s best to charge only what you can pay in full each month to avoid paying interest.

For Frequent Shippers: Amazon Prime Store Card

If you’re like the majority of Americans, you do at least some shopping at Amazon.com. All those books, gadgets, and everyday items would cost a fortune in shipping fees if it weren’t for Amazon Prime’s free-shipping program. But another way to save as an Amazon shopper is with the Amazon Prime Store Card.

Once approved, you get 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, a $40 gift card, and access to special financing options for some items. And there’s no annual fee. The biggest downside is the card’s high 26.99% APR, so avoid carrying a balance with the Amazon Prime Store Card.

For Everyday Shopping: Target REDcard

Target’s REDcard has one perk that most store cards don’t: instant discounts. Instead of the typical rewards points or cash back systems, which are usually applied to your monthly statement, the REDcard gets you 5% off all Target purchases.

The 5% discount applies online too, and the card includes free shipping at Target.com. Plus, you get access to exclusive cardmember offers, an extra 30 days for store returns, and the ability to stack the 5% savings with other discounts like the ever-popular Cartwheel program.

Be wary of Target REDcard’s 23.90% APR, which could leave you with high interest payments if you don’t pay off your balance each month. One way to avoid the interest altogether is to opt for the REDcard debit card. With that option, you get the same 5% discount by linking the card directly to your checking account.

For Department Store Purchases: TJX Rewards Credit Card

Department store shoppers like their deals and perks. If that’s you, the TJX Rewards card from T.J.Maxx could be a great way to save on your purchases and get special rewards. You can use the card at any T.J.Maxx location or sister store, including Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra Trading Post. And because it’s a Mastercard, you can also use it anywhere that accepts Mastercard.

When you’re approved, you’ll get 10% off your first in-store purchases. Then you’ll earn $10 for every $200 you spend using the card. You’ll also get perks like chances to win free giveaways and entry into a $100 gift card sweepstake.

Like many other store cards, the TJX Rewards card has a high interest rate at 27.99%. Don’t pay unnecessary interest—pay off the balance every month.

Store cards and department store credit cards can help you save on your purchases and build your credit if you can manage the balances well. To search other credit card options, use this credit card search tool.

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees, and terms with credit card issuers, banks, or other financial institutions directly.

Image: Dmitrijs Dmitrijevs

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Jason Steele has been writing about credit cards and personal finance since 2008, poring through the terms and conditions of credit card agreements to understand the minutiae of how these products work. His work has appeared on Yahoo, MSN, HuffingtonPost and other major news outlets. In his free time, Jason's a commercial pilot. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in History.

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EJMiv

The BBY card is now called the My Best Buy MasterCard. Depending upon your creditworthiness, you may receive the gold card, which has a $59 annual fee. When you apply, you’re actually considered for one of four cards: My BBY MC Platinum (no AF), My BBY Preferred (non-MC private label/house card, no AF), My BBY (non-MC private label/house card, highest APR, no AF), and My BBY MC Gold (highest APR, $59 AF), in that order. For the financing offers…6 months is always there, next tier alternates between 12 or 18 months, and 24 or 36 months are offered only occasionally in specific categories (primarily TV’s or appliances). 48 months at a fixed 11.99% is also available, but not really advertised.

Roger

What about Target’s Red Card? 5% off purchases and extended return policy?

Delco_Teddy

Article was right, Walmart approved me no problem…

Atiger

No Target Credit Card? In most Target purchases, you get 5% discount and free shipping for online orders. This is one of the best store credit cards.

Lowe’s Consumer card is one of the best values for credit cards. They have the special financing options that come up periodically for up to 18 months no interest. They also have special financing for projects over $3500 with the 84 at a special financing rate.

Certain credit cards and other financial products mentioned in this and other sponsored content on Credit.com are Partners with Credit.com. Credit.com receives compensation if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any financial products or cards offered.

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